Cornwall Community Transport

County advice overview 

The community transport provision in Cornwall is gradually increasing. 

Community transport plays an important part in tackling social isolation, maintaining well-being and enabling people to access health services, supermarkets and leisure activities. It is especially important for older people and those living with disability, and may well be the only means of getting to and from a medical appointment.

You can find details of local community transport services in Cornwall online, including on the Cornwall Council website.

Key tips

It is important to plan your use of community transport in advance. Services are often run by volunteers and pre-booking is essential. You may wish to consider:

• Many community transport schemes require you to register beforehand to use the service.
• At the time of booking, inform the travel provider of any mobility and accessibility needs you may have.
• Services are not always free but are often cheaper than commercial vehicles. 
• If you are using a volunteer driving service, the driver will be police checked and you have the right to see their identification. 
• Do you wish to take mobility equipment with you? It may be possible to hire a wheelchair or scooter, for example, once you have reached your destination, from an organisation such as ShopMobility.

Remember that your local Hubs Mobility Advice Service will be happy to help signpost you to the correct community transport operator and organisations.

Operators

Countywide services

Age UK (Cornwall and Isles of Scilly) (TAP)

TAP (Transport Access People) arrange door-to-door transport for people who have difficulty accessing public transport. Services include non-emergency healthcare appointments, trips to the library, memory cafes, lunch and shopping excursions.
Contact: 01872 223388 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm)

Age UK (Cornwall and Isles of Scilly)

Door-to-door Dial-a-Ride and Community Minibus Services. Passengers are requested to register and pre-book seats in advance.
Contact: 01872 266384 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)

Volunteer Cornwall

Provides volunteer drivers for journeys within Cornwall, including medical appointments.
Contact: 01872 265300

North/East Cornwall 

Lezant Community Car

A community car service.
Contact: 01566 784050 or lezantparishclerk@gmail.com 

St Breward Community Bus

Dial-a-Ride service
Contact: 01208 850229

St Teath Community Bus

Dial-a-Ride service.
Contact: 01208 850229 or Diannecox123@gmail.com

Tavistock Country Bus 

Weekday and Saturday community bus services

Mid Cornwall 

Gorran and District Community Bus Association Ltd (Gorranbus) 

Dial-a-Ride, Community Bus Service
Accessible services by arrangement.
Contact: 01726 842733 

St Agnes Community Bus – Accessible

Dial-a-Ride services.
Contact: 01872 553648 (Evening) or saminibus@tiscali.co.uk  

South East Cornwall

Downderry & District Community Bus

Dial-a-Ride, Community Bus services
Contact: 01503 250944 or info@dasra.co.uk

Lanteglos-by-Fowey Community Bus Association

Dial-a-Ride, Community Bus services
Contact: 01726 870145 

Lerryn Area Minibus Association

Community Bus services
Contact: 01208 871419

Maker with Rame Community Bus

Community Bus services.
Email: rame.bus22@gmail.com 

Saltash Red Bus

Dial-a-Ride service.
Contact: 07306 359561 or saltashredbus@gmail.com 

Tamar Valley Community Bus – Accessible

Dial-a-Ride, Community Bus Services (available for those within the parish).
Contact: 01822 832998 (Monday – Friday, 1.00pm – 5.00pm)

Travel costs

Each community transport operator will carry its own set of charges and it is important when booking a service to ensure you understand how they will calculate the charges for your journey. For instance, there may be a fixed price per mile to cover a volunteer driver’s expenses. 

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)

To find out if you are eligible to claim back travel costs to the hospitals in Cornwall, visit the NHS website. 

Special assistance 

The assistance provided is variable for each community transport service. Information can be found on an operator’s website or by contacting them by telephone.

When booking any community transport in your area, you should be clear about your mobility requirements and check in advance that the service is able to accommodate your mobility equipment.

If you have a Hidden Disabilities ID card/lanyard, it is important to wear it so that the driver can see it and be aware of any additional needs. 

Travelling with mobility equipment 

It is important to check if your community transport provider can accommodate any mobility equipment you use, prior to your journey. 

Services vary depending on the type and size of equipment that can be carried, due to space.  

Most minibuses are wheelchair accessible, although may have limited capacity.

Volunteer-led car schemes often require passengers to be able to transfer independently. Some can stow foldable wheelchairs and aids.